Commencement 2019

In his remarks, President E. Gordon Gee urged students to be willing to take risks. “I believe that the greatest risk all of you will face is giving in to your fear of taking risks. Generations of CPASS graduates have dared to risk failure. And, by doing so, they have nurtured ideas that made our world better,” Gee said.

“It all starts with you being the best leader of yourself. You can't expect anyone to follow you if you can't take your own lead. You must be motivated to do so because you can't motivate anyone else if you can't motivate yourself.”

Gee also discussed how to overcome obstacles. “You have made bold choices. You have transformed your many passions into viable career paths. Treat everyone around you as a teacher, regardless of title or background. And in the game of life, your Mountaineer daring will guide you to your highest purpose. Above all, make every day that you live an opportunity to learn.”

A Commencement Proposal

Maryland natives Dylan Jordan and Skyler VanGorkum met online in May of the summer after Jordan’s first year studying athletic coaching education at WVU. VanGorkum, a budding videographer now studying at the Community College of Baltimore County and working as a professional photographer, was instantly the center of his attention.

“I realized very early in our relationship that she was the one. I knew I wanted to marry her a few months after we started dating, but I wanted to wait until we weren’t so far away from each other,” Jordan said.

Thus, Jordan’s graduation ceremony was the perfect place to finally pop the question. “The commencement and me graduating is the start of the rest of our lives together. I want us to share this important transition together and remember it forever,” he added.

Student Spotlights

“While I came to WVU just looking for answers, I found more than I ever knew I needed. If I hadn’t come here, I wouldn’t now be on a path that I’m in love with and I would still have no idea of who I really am.”

“Armed with our degrees, we are prepared to represent the best of WVU in all our future endeavors. Graduation is an exciting time. It marks both an end and a beginning. It is warm memories of the past and big dreams for the future.”